The Associated Press is reporting that Justice Stevens has confirmed that he has hired only one clerk for OT10. Typically, Stevens hires all of his clerks at one time during the summer a year before their term begins.

As always, its hard to read too much into this. Is it possible that this was a good strategic move from Justice Stevens to hedge against Justice Ginsburg’s health? If she remains in good health, he’ll quit and won’t have an overflow of clerks. If Justice Ginsburg decides to retire at the end of the term, she’ll be able to quit and Justice Stevens will take her clerks. If nothing else, he can evaluate his position a few months from now and hire his clerks in the spring.